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West Nile human case in Grey-Bruce

Grey-Bruce has its first reported human case of West Nile virus this year, Grey-Bruce Health Unit announced Friday in a news release.

The human infection was reported this week but where the person was infected or their health condition was not included in the news release.

Typically people with West Nile experience mild symptoms, from none at all to high ever, tremors and muscle weakness among others, the provincial health ministry’s website said.

A second positive horse infection and the first Grey-Bruce mosquito pool to test positive were also announced Friday. Locations weren’t specified.

The health unit on Aug. 30 announced the first confirmed horse infection with West Nile virus, from in the former Brant Township, now part of Brockton.

And the health unit issued a warning in July asking people to always be vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites, after mosquitos collected from a trap in Collingwood tested positive for the West Nile virus which, in rare cases, can cause severe illness.

The health unit on Aug. 30 announced the first confirmed horse infection with West Nile virus, from in the former Brant Township, now part of Brockton.

There have been 37 human cases reported in Ontario to date, and 370 mosquito pools which have tested positive for the disease, the health unit said. The disease is spread through mosquito bites.

The health unit release said it’s typical for West Nile cases to rise this time of year, a trend other health units in the province are seeing.

The health unit release said approximately 80 per cent of those infected with the virus do not show any symptoms. Of the 20 that do, most experience mild illness with symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, skin rash and occasionally, vomiting and nausea. Less than 1 per cent of those infected with West Nile virus experience severe illness involving the central nervous system.

If symptoms show, it takes two to 15 days from the mosquito bite to present themselves, the provincial health ministry website said.

The risk of exposure to West Nile virus around the home can be reduced by eliminating mosquito breeding sites, including standing water in places such as bird baths, eaves troughs, flower pots and discarded tires; by wearing light, long-sleeved shirts or jackets and long pants tucked into your socks, or special clothing designed to protect you from bugs; always using mosquito repellent with DEET or icaridin when outdoors at dawn and dusk; and by preventing mosquito entry into the home.